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Explode a number

Strand Number
Topic Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division
  • 2
  • < 5 mins
    Prep < 5 mins
  • < 5 mins
    Play < 5 mins
  • Groups
    Groups
  • Whole class
    Whole class
Complexity: Medium
Teaching style: Guided
Movement level: Active
Explode a number

Summary

Students work together to write as many equations as possible for a given number before the timer runs out.


Curriculum content

  • Add and subtract
  • Multiply and divide
  • Double and halve
  • Use known number facts

Materials

Card sets

  • 1 set of Mathletics number cards 0 to 9 1-9

Explode a number

Concrete

  • Paper and pencils or markers

How to play

Set-up

  1. Arrange students into small groups or play as a class.
  2. Give each group a piece of paper and colored pencils or markers.

Rules

  1. Select 2 number cards and arrange them to make a 2-digit number.
  2. Set a timer for 2 minutes.
  3. Ask players to write as many equations as possible that have that number as the answer before the timer runs out.
  4. Groups or class score 1 point for every correct calculation and 5 points for each different operation used.

Variations

CHANGE it down

  • Use only cards 0 to 5.
  • Remove the timer and ask students to work on differentiated target numbers as an assessment.
  • Work as a whole class inviting each pair of partners to share an idea.

CHANGE it up

  • Ask students to work individually towards a target number.
  • Give students types of calculation to focus on.
  • Ask students to create their own rules for the game.

What to look for

  • Are students relying on one operation?
  • Are students using known facts to calculate? For example once they have found one number sentence are they using this to give more answers?
  • Are students using mathematical language correctly?
  • Are students able to accurately record number sentences?
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